OLD AND NEW......

This weekend is the The Duck Tail Run and James Dean Festivals.  All taking their place here in my town and a town about 4 miles from us.  It's an annual thing, the last weekend of September.  We have a flood of people and old cars.  We don't have to go anywhere to see the cars.  They come past our house.  Our road is one of two that actually goes across town.  So it's a pretty busy road.  While sitting out in the front yard you will see......

55' or 56'

And this one...not sure what year or make, maybe the 30's.

SIGNS OF FALL APPROACHING.....

They are very subtle, but they are there if you look close enough.  I found some signs in our back yard on a little walk with the twins.
The Ash tree is turning colors...

and dropping some leaves.

The Pear tree is loaded, but they aren't very good until the first frost, which we haven't had yet.

And of course the chilly weather calls for cloths, which you can see here.  The twins all dressed for fall.

Just click on the picture to see it up close and personal.

BIRDS OF A FEATHER.....

We have lots of birds around here.  Sparrows, Blue-Jays, Robins, Black Birds, Cardinals and lots more.  We also have birdhouses spread around the yard.  But this one is a little......um lopsided.

Not sure if these fellows could help but fall out.  Maybe that's why they sit on this wire. lol

HOBBY OR CRAFTING......

Some people call it a hobby, some call it crafting.  I just call it something to keep me busy.  What is it??  It's my crocheting and quilting.  I've been working on a ripple afghan off and on for almost a year.  It finally cooled off enough that I could finish it. 
Ta-Da

And my son requested a dog quilt.  So went looking for a suitable pattern.  I found one of a dog bone.  It's a 9 inch square and the bone is appliqued on.  I'm using unbleached muslin for the bone and found some really nice black/blue fabric for the filler block.  I've got a lot of work to do on this one before it's done.  But this is what it looks like now.

 

So what would you call this, hobby or crafting??

JOY OF DRIVING!!

The hubby found this car stroller in the trash and brought it home.  It doesn't move unless someone pushes it, but the twins like to sit in it and pretend to drive.  Every once in awhile someone gives them a push around the yard.  Daddy gave Bub a ride.  Love the expression on his face.

IT'S BACK.......

Remember the fungus in the tree??  Well, it's back.  I guess all the hot humid weather we have been having gave it some time to grow again.

And more...

And one more...

BOOK REPORT

The Mourning Hours - Paula Treick DeBoard

Product Description(Amazon.com)
A family's loyalty is put to the ultimate test in this haunting and unforgettable debut.

Kirsten Hammarstrom hasn't been home to her tiny corner of rural Wisconsin in years-not since the mysterious disappearance of a local teenage girl rocked the town and shattered her family. Kirsten was just nine years old when Stacy Lemke went missing, and the last person to see her alive was her boyfriend, Johnny-the high school wrestling star and Kirsten's older brother. No one knows what to believe-not even those closest to Johnny-but the event unhinges the quiet farming community and pins Kirsten's family beneath the crushing weight of suspicion.
Now, years later, a new tragedy forces Kirsten and her siblings to return home, where they must confront the devastating event that shifted the trajectory of their lives. Tautly written and beautifully evocative, The Mourning Hours is a gripping portrayal of a family straining against extraordinary pressure, and a powerful tale of loyalty, betrayal and forgiveness.

My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this book.  I'm really interested in what this new author will write about next.  I'll be watching for Paula's  next book.   This book was so absorbing in that I couldn't put it down.  I wanted to find out what happened to Stacy.  All the love and agony that this family went through is written in this book.  I could really feel the tension and the agony.  The story is told through the eyes of a 9 year old, Kirsten.  Her agony of things she should have told about what she saw leading up to the disappearance of Stacy.  Being only 9 years old at the time, she was torn between telling the cops and saving her brother.  But what could a 9 year old really tell, that she saw her brother and Stacy arguing, that they had sex in Johnny's bedroom.  These are things that a 9 year old doesn't know what to do with.  When the family comes together again they soon learn all the truth.  But I can't tell as it will give away the ending of the book.  Which was a total surprise to me!  If you have a chance to read this book, you'll really like it. 

BOOK REPORT

 The Misremembered Man - Christina McKenna
Product Description(Amazon.com)
The Misremembered Man is a beautifully rendered portrait of life in rural Ireland which charms and delights with its authentic characters and gentle humor. This vivid portrayal of the universal search for love brings with it a darker tale, heartbreaking in its poignancy.

MY THOUGHTS: This was my book clubs book for August.  I haven't read this author, that's one reason I like book club, it gives me a chance to read new authors.  You might say it also takes me out of my comfort zone in books.  I also love reading about Ireland.  The main character of this book was left at an orphanage along with his sister.  The life at the orphanage was not a good one for him.   As an adult he has problems with depression and can't seem to find a reason for living.  But with the help of a friend he finds someone through a newspaper advertisement.  I won't tell you what happens to the him and the lady, because that would give away the ending of the book and it isn't what you think it is.  If you like reading about Ireland and farm life, this is a great book.  There is also a happy ending, which I like. 
  

MUSICAL CHAIRS, KIND OF....

On a walk to the barn it's usually a race as to who gets there first.  The first one there gets the pick of the chairs.  And believe me, the twins have their favorite chair.  But unfortunately, they both like the same chair.  Keep your eye on the green lawn chair.
I got here first...

Bubby sneaked in behind me....

I was here first, move over bubby.....

It's all mine...

I'll just go over here and pout about it....

BASKET HAT????

Bella stole the basket that holds the toys outside.  She ran off with it and jumped in the car.  She's wearing it like a helmet.

And then Luke decided he wanted a ride.  So he hopped on.

These two are so comical.  It's a laugh a minute around here.

CHASE AND RUN.....

Bella and Luke like to play chase and run.  Heather does this with them a lot.  This is a series of shots I took of them playing.
Catch Mommy...

Run, run, run,

Run really fast...

Got you!!

PIG!!!

Hubby found a box of stuff that someone threw away.  In the box was a pig bank missing it's plug.  Bella latched onto it from the beginning.  She was about 1 then.  She has played with the pig ever since.  She cuddles it, carry's it around and even puts it in the sand pile with her. 

Mommy can play...

It's a pig hat....

For Mommy....

No, it would look better on you....

RUMMAGE SALE GOODIES!!

Hubby has been rummaging all summer.  Been getting some great stuff.  He found a play house for the twins, they love it.

Today he came home with a bag of yarn.  It cost 2.00.  Now I've something to keep me busy this winter.  A new afghan, since the one I've been working on is almost done.  But it's been way to hot to work on it.  I've also been working on Bella's Coloring Book quilt.  It's in the frame and I'm tying it.  Next will be the binding and it will be done.  Then on to Luke's quilt.  Well, here's the bag of yarn.  Isn't it pretty,  can't wait to get started on the new afghan.

THE MANY FACES OF.....

Luke, he makes some really comical faces.  Some are funny, some are mean, and some are indescribable. 

Don't bother me...

Grandma please....

Come on Grandma....

Pretty please Grandma...

FURNITURE MOVING??

Luke likes to move the furniture around.  He picks it up, moves it, and put it's down and moves it some more. 
"This way..."

"No this way..."

"Maybe this way..."

3RD BIRTHDAY!

Today is Bella and Luke's birthday.  They are 3 years old.  Hard to believe they are 3 already.  Seems like they were just born.